WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) congratulated Katherine Elliott of Scarborough and Marissa Bates of Westbrook, who on Wednesday were named Maine's top two youth volunteers of 2013 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. As State Honorees, Katherine and Marissa each will receive a $1,000 prize, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where they will join the top honorees from each state and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, ten students will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2013.

“It is just remarkable what these two young ladies have accomplished,” said Senator King. “The degree of personal initiative, leadership, and dedication to volunteerism they each demonstrate is simply inspirational. Their seemingly endless acts of generosity reflect an innate understanding and appreciation for the value of civic engagement. I have no doubt that these two will continue to do great things and I hope to meet with them when they travel to D.C. this spring.”

BACKGROUND: The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and HandsOn Network affiliates, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

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